Top 5 things to do in spring

Lupins at Lake Tekapo, Christchurch, Canterbury

From an impressive explosion of flowers to frolicking baby lambs and amazing birdlife, here’s a list of most memorable New Zealand spring experiences.

Bloomin' awesome!

One spring's most spectacular displays is the flowering purple lupins on the shores of turquoise Lake Tekapo. Further south, the mountain-fringed fruit bowl of Central Otago covers itself in a chaos of pink and white blossoms.

It’s also hatching season for New Zealand's flightless icon, with the first kiwis emerging from mid-September. Book a tour at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua to marvel at how humans help hatch and raise these precious chicks.

In Auckland, visit the west coast beach of Muriwai to see the impressive gannet colony that nests in the region from August to March each year.

A nesting pair of kotuku, West Coast

Por White Heron Tours

Celebrate Hobbit Day

Celebrate Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' birthday (22 September) by visiting their home at Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. Charming bluebells and daffodils are in full flower at this time of the year, making the visit even more special.

Hobbiton, Hamilton: Waikato

Por Sara Orme

Get adventurous

In the South Island the mountain snow melt, fills the rivers with epic rapids, making it a great time of the year for rafting. The Rangitata River in Canterbury is ideal for this adventure.